2017 ORNAMENT EXCHANGE & BLOG HOP

Welcome to the 2017 Ornament Exchange & Blog Hop! This year, there are 47 amazing bloggers participating in the exchange. The rules of the challenge were simple: be partnered with a fellow blogger, create a handmade ornament for $15 or under, create a tutorial, and ship the ornament off to a new home!

I was partnered with Dione from Clever Chameleon in AUSTRALIA!! How amazing is that? We both have traditional Christmas trees and decorations, and we both love hand-made and ornaments that have a story. I read more about Dione through her blog and discovered she is a keen and absolutely amazing quilter, so I knew I would make something using fabric.. Not sure whether it was a clever idea as I am not very good with sewing…. Also as it is travelling all the way to Australia, I was a little apprehensive about sending something fragile in post! Check out Dione’s amazing creations on her blog.

As I decided to do some fabric related ornaments, I purchased some cute Christmas fabrics. I am no quilter so that was out of the question straight away, but I did enjoy making some suffolk puffs (or yo yos in US) and thought they would be perfect for a cute Christmas ornament.

I decided to make not one but TWO ornaments – a Christmas tree and a Candy cane, but you can make whatever you want. I traced the circles and cut them out of the fabric. I then stitched all the way around the circle keeping the stitches evenly spaced, then pull the puff and secure the thread. To see step by step guide on how to make suffolk puffs, click here.

Once you have enough suffolk puffs made, you are ready to assemble them. I used some cardboard and felt for the backing. I glued the suffolk puffs to make the correct shape and then embellished them. Don’t forget to add the ribbon (hide it between the backing and the suffolk puff.

HERE

And here it is! I hope Dione will love them!

FIND ALL 47 HANDMADE ORNAMENT TUTORIALS BELOW AND SHARE YOURS TOO! Use Hashtag #2017OrnamentExchange so we can see your creations on social media.

Oh Evija! Did you really send me two ornaments?!! You are so sweet! Of course, I had to peek, but I’m glad I did. I love them already…. so very clever. And you couldn’t have known, but suffolk puffs have a special place in my heart, as my maternal Grandmother used to decorate some of her sewing with them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do hope you will like what I sent you in return (and that it arrives soon!).

Dione, my absolutele pleasure and I am so glad you like them.. Oh wow I can’t believe that about your grandmother, that is so nice and I really didn’t know but as soon as I looked through your blog I knew I wanted to make suffolk puff ornament for you for some reason! I really hope they arrive in time for Christmas and you can enjoy them!

I love how you made these from yo-yos! You could make these in whatever color combination works in your own home. Great idea! I participated in the exchange too and it’s always fun to see what everyone comes up with!